John Caulfield signs new contract

Cork City Football Club are delighted to announce that manager John Caulfield has signed a new two-year contract with the club.

Caulfield was appointed following the end of the 2013 season, and led the club to second place in the table in his first season in charge, City’s highest league placing since they lifted the Premier Division title in 2005.

Speaking on behalf of the club’s Board of Management, Chairman of FORAS and Cork City FC, Pat Lyons, told CorkCityFC.ie that he was very pleased that Caulfield had put pen to paper on a new contract: “I am delighted that John has accepted our offer of a new contract with the club. The plans that John has outlined for all levels of football at the club are fully endorsed by the Board of Management, and we looked forward to continuing the progress made since John’s appointment in November 2013.”

“As a supporter-owned club, making progress whilst also safe-guarding the long-term future and stability of the club is something we value very highly, and that is a view shared by John as manager. These are exciting times for Cork City Football Club, both on and off the pitch, and I believe that, in John, we have a manager who will continue to build what he has already achieved.”

Speaking to CorkCityFC.ie ahead of this evening’s FORAS General Meeting where the news of his new contract was first announced to Trustees, John Caulfield said he was thrilled to have extended his tenure at the club: “I am absolutely delighted. I came in two years ago to get the club back up near the top, so I am delighted that the board has backed me and that they have seen the work that has been done; I think we are on the right track and I am thrilled that they have backed me to lead the club for another two years.”

“People know my passion for this club, firstly as a player, then as a supporter and now as manager. We have worked very hard with a tremendous bunch of players and with tremendous support. We are working really hard to keep the club competing at the top, pushing for trophies and to be in Europe every year. It has been a fantastic experience for me so far and I just hope that I can drive the club on more in the next two years.”

The City boss also spoke about the progress made by both on and off the pitch over the last two seasons, saying that he felt the long-term future of the club was bright: “A lot of people obviously focus on the first team but, outside of that, a lot of other work has gone on as well. There have been many things going on in the background and there is massive positivity around the club. Things like those are essential for the club because, long after I am gone, we need the club to be stable and those kind of structures will help the club long into the future.”

Asked about his aims for the next two years, Caulfield was clear in his intentions: “The day you think everything is okay is the day you are going backwards. From my point of view, we want to drive on and see can we win trophies, can we get into Europe every year, can we progress in Europe? We have had two phenomenal seasons and this season is not over yet. Next season, I need to make the team better, I need a stronger squad.”

“This year, Europe was a fantastic adventure for us, albeit a short one, as we came up against a team that had been in Europe for thirteen out of the last fourteen years. This was our first time in eight years, and it is a different type of football, a different level, so there have been a lot of learning experiences. Personally, I have learned that we need a stronger and more dynamic team; the players this year have been fantastic, but there will be players going out and there are certainly new players who will come into the club to hopefully make us stronger.”

“While I am here, I want the team to be up at the top and in Europe every year. Overall, we need Cork City to be stable with strong structures in place and a lot of that is stuff that we are doing. In the league, the bar is very high and I know where we need to get to. Obviously, we want to win a trophy and my goal is to do that.”

Hear more from John in an exclusive interview on CorkCityFC.ie tomorrow morning.